The Codewright's Tale is a place to discuss the craft of software development. The focus is more about the human aspect of programming, there are plenty of sites which post the latest and greatest tools or blocks of 'how to' code. All the tools, methodologies, or languages in the world won't help if the primary obstacle of quality software is human nature and not a human invention.

Socrates is said to have walked the streets of Athens looking for a wise man. Wisdom is usually associated with knowledge but since it is impossible to know everything, true Wisdom is the awareness that you don't know. You can know a little about some things or a lot about a few. Those who believe they do know are blinded by their own ego and are thus willing to dismiss all doubts and set a course powered by a self-fulfilling sense of certainty. This describes how many a tribe of men met their tragic fate. Technology is not immune from the siren's song of certainty hence the never-ending search for the always-elusive "Silver Bullet".

When it comes to Wisdom, what sets apart the Codewright from the Code Monkey? A healthy dose of self-doubt. Doubt enough to realize that risks should not be dismissed solely because they are improbable. Doubt enough to allow the most skillful to help do the work, the most far-sighted to help guard the course, the most cynical to help figure the schedule. Doubt enough to keep unjustified self-confidence from enabling acts of hubris. This is just as true for teams as well. The best teams are the ones who understand both their strengths and their weaknesses. A group of individual superstars who can't learn to play together isn't always guaranteed success while a bunch of unknown amateurs who work has a cohesive unit can perform miracles.

Software development as a field naturally attracts those who are willing to accept the reality that there will always be more to learn. It is a good sign, one that indicates our chosen field will never stagnate. There will always be something to discover, a constantly flowing river of new challenges to overcome and puzzles to solve. The search for Wisdom is not for a desired destination, but of a fulfilling journey.